AV1AT0R

Ah I misunderstood. I'll find out. Thanks!

Thanks for the responses, you guys. The recruiter said it was the SG who issued the final DQ, and she closed my file (great). I'll see what my squadron POC has to say. He had my information with another recruiter they work with who also sent my information to the SG. This whole thing has become very messy ever since MEPS. Anyway, thanks again!

Reviving an old thread... Long story: I was selected by a reserve squadron to fly for them. I filled out all the prescreen stuff for MEPS which didn't include anything about my allergies. I get to MEPS and fill out their paperwork which asks about my allergies. I say I have an allergy to penicillin. Doctor asks about it and I confirm. He asks what happens and I say I might barf but I don't know since it's been over 20 years since I've taken penicillin. He ends up DQing me since he thinks my vomiting is considered an anaphylaxis. Strange, I don't consider vomiting to be life threatening but okay you are the doctor here. Everyone at MEPS including the doctor assures me this is no biggie and it's a one-day waiver. Fine I'm good. Let's get this done I'm hungry. Under direction of my recruiter, I go to my primary care doctor and get a note indicating that I experience GI distress/discomfort when taking penicillin. He even said that my reaction was likely whatever illness I had at the time and not the penicillin. Recruiter sends my doctor's note to MEPS. About six weeks later, MEPS finally sends waiver paperwork back saying they denied the waiver. Recruiter says it's because I didn't sign as examiner on my paperwork at MEPS even though I was told not to. Three weeks later, recruiter sends paperwork up to the Surgeon General at HQ who also denies it. No reason given (yet). Seems unusual and frankly bizarre that I would be DQ'd for something as simple as an allergic reaction to penicillin especially when there are a myriad of other antibiotics I could take. I understand the Air Force has wants and needs. However, I feel there may be a disconnect either with communication or improper guidance on someone's end. Whether it's mine or theirs I am not sure. And maybe it's my fault because I'm a doofus who can't keep his mouth shut. I honestly had no idea a simple allergy would mess me up this bad. Anyway, I am wondering if I am the one who goofed or are my fishy suspicions correct? tl;dr: Over 20 years ago, I took penicillin and barfed which today is considered anaphylaxis. I was denied a waiver for penicillin. Seems fishy but them's the breaks! Or is it?

I am more than okay with that setup!

I should have been more specific! Sorry. Correct! That's why my wife wants to stay. No sense in her quitting her job or taking a year leave of absence (without pay!) just to come right back in a year. I was thinking this would be my wording in my waiver. I would need to potentially cover both my housing at my PCS and where my spouse is. I figure at this point, it's more of a "doesn't hurt to ask" type of situation. The worst they could say is no.

I figured I'd be able to jump right off base if I'm married - not that I'm dying to! Well, I'm with you on this. I'd much rather live on base or super close to base. This way I can stay close to my classmates, save on gas, etc. Plus, then maybe I can make some friends and we all collectively get an apartment or something. I just see no need for a huge two bedroom house to myself. I don't have a lot of stuff to begin with let alone enough to fill an entire house, and I'm not gonna take half the furniture from my wife while I'm gone. A room and access to a kitchen would suffice. I'd really love for my wife to join me. We just have a house where we live at the moment and also four animals. Finding someone to rent our place while we're gone sounds a bit of a hassle and then the addition of getting a place on/off base that allows animals (though I'm sure I could claim just the two dogs and hide the cats). In any case, it sounds like collecting BAH at my wife's location is exactly what I thought: too good to be true. I'd rather just pay my share of the mortgage while I'm gone and live in the dorm to eventually get a shared apartment or something. Any extra stress I can shed is my main goal.

Hi, This seems like the best subforum to post this question. I've been scouring the internet both here and on other sites. I've also tried to use DFAS but I'm DoD so it's only giving me DoD answers. When I head out to UPT, my spouse is not going to come with me. Her job pays too well and someone's gotta watch the dogs. I've heard and seen here that I could collect BAH for the location where my spouse is instead of where I'll be. All I have to do is get a BAH waiver. However, I've also read and seen here that this waiver is only available if my PCS is 30 days or less (or some other such excuse). Could someone please clarify this for me? I cannot seem to get a straight answer out of anyone. On a related note, since I'm going to UPT without my spouse, will I have to live off base or am I stuck in the dorms? Again, I've seen it both ways. Vance Housing website says yeah I'm living off base and Laughlin and Columbus seem to say otherwise. Secondly, should I be on the dorms, I do not collect any BAH whatsoever, correct? I'm hoping someone here might be able to shed some light on this. Nowhere else seems to explain it - at least the waiver part of my question. Thank you very much!

I'd like to be a CSO on a C-130. That'd be awesome. Granted, you can stick me in anything and I'll be happy. If the unit flies Piper Cubs, I'm on board!

Hey everyone - thanks for the responses! Gave me a some good insight as to what to expect should I go this route. Definitely helped!

Hello, I've been considering going CSO for a while since I apparently have a better chance at landing a slot than pilot. Most pilots seem to fly for a living outside the Guard/Reserve (G/R). However, what do CSOs do on the other side? I reckon since they don't do much actual flying, landing a flying job based on their flying experience in the G/R does not seem as likely. I'm not asking because I'm on the fast track to becoming some airline guy or whatever. I'm just genuinely curious to see if CSO would open up any other doors for me in the civilian world. I work for the government at the moment, so I'm thinking I might still be in security as a CSO. Which is fine. Again, I'm just curious! Any insight is much appreciated!

I know I'm pretty late to posting here, but I heard another unsponsored board will be held in April. Does anyone have a contact I should get with to get my foot in the door/apply for the board, or do I need to go talk to a recruiter?

I submitted a package. I think they're reviewing packages at the moment. You'll hear something maybe in a couple weeks or so.

I interviewed with the 167th this past Saturday. I think it went well! Well maybe just okay... We'll see!

I think it's actually a year for the wait period. I figure I want to get PRK, anyway, because I'm sick of buying contacts every year.

Hi! I posted about two years ago I think regarding my vision. Y'all said I don't have a shot with my current prescription and stuff. Well, I secretly never gave up. I have all my ducks in a row regarding my application, and I think I would at least score an interview. I still have the vision thing to deal with, though. My question is this: I have the means to get PRK. My guess is if I turn in my application by the end of this month, the interview panel wouldn't be until maybe October or so. Do y'all think it would be a bad idea to go ahead and get PRK done now? I found the Air Force Refractive Surgery documentation and I'm sure I could get a hold of some forms somewhere. My figuring is that I'd be ahead of the game so when it came time for FC1, I'd be good to go or very close to it. What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance, and have a happy Fourth of July! Pete

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Apologies for a late response - I had a busy weekend. Anyway, I kinda figured that was that. I'm still really interested and I have been for more than half my life. I don't give up easy, so I'm going to still try. I've came this far - what else have I got to lose? One of the alumni from my fraternity is in the ANG and based not too far from me. He and I have been chatting, and he'd be happy to hook me up with the right people there. The only hurdle I can see is getting corrective surgery. I'm a bit hesitant not only for my eye safety, but also because it's a fairly large financial commitment for something that cannot be guaranteed. Although I don't have a ton of time at this point, I am going to have to sit down and think about whether or not to go for it. Once again, I thank everyone for their responses!

Hi All, I just wanted to check back in and sort of cross-check the answer/results I've received. I talked to a recruiter a few weeks ago, and she said for me to go ahead and study for the AFOQT in addition to getting some information on my eyes (a prescription, eye exam - anything). I gave her what my most recent exam results yielded: 20/400 (uncorrected) Prescription: Right: Spherical: -2.50, Cylindrical: -2.50, Axis: 010 Left: -2.25, -1.75, 015 (respectively) I guess my eyesight is much worse than I originally thought. I guess I just don't notice it because I never walk around without corrective lenses. Anyway, she ran it by the AF Reserve Surgeon General's office and they said they would likely not approve a waiver for my vision. Is that it? I'm a little too old (26) to pursue any corrective surgery without running the risk of being too old for UPT in addition to likely not qualifying from my pre-op exams. Just wanted to check in the veil of anonymity that is the internet. Many thanks, Pete

Excellent answers from the both of you! I'm going to get on it and see what I come up with. Also, The Art of Manliness is indeed an excellent blog that any man should read. It got me into straight razor shaving.

Hmm okay. Thanks! I only was asking since I was thinking about getting a head start on the RS Waiver process just in case I do need it so I don't waste a whole year and end up being too old when it's all said and done (I'm 26). I may just end up visiting my optometrist to see where my vision is right now. I see your logic, though, which is why I asked about the waiver and refractive limits. I was surprised to see mine so low for how allegedly bad my uncorrected acuity is. Granted, my prescription is geared for 20/15 acuity.

So it's all kind of half by the book and half at the physician's discretion? For instance, uncorrected acuity was at 20/100 but refractive errors were within limits so that would be waived, but another with 20/350 but within refractive limits would not be waived?

Sweeeeeet. This is what I wanted to hear. I'll go to my optometrist or at least get a copy of my latest prescription to see where I stand. Granted, I'll have to see if I can get one of the tests with the "gel" stuff they stick in your eye to dilate your pupil. Anyway, thanks you two (deaddebate and Kenny Powers) for responding!

Hi All, Just wanted to quickly say how informative this board is. I wish I had discovered it sooner, since there is a wealth of information available that has otherwise been covered up. Although it's the internet and you can't believe everything on the internet, it's still nice to dispel some rumors that often circulate amongst the uneducated. I usually browse this forum on my downtime at work and am using what I glean from it to formulate questions for a recruiter that I may (or may not) speak to. Formal butt-kissing introduction aside, I've read this thread (as well as others) in its entirety, and I only have one quick clarification: I read in the most recent waiver guide that you may have refractive errors up to -3.00 for sufferers of myopia. Does this mean that despite my uncorrected vision being in the neighborhood of 20/200 (according to a nurse at the eye doctor), would I not need some sort of refractive surgery since my refractive error on my prescription is less than -3.00? I only ask because refractive surgery is particularly expensive in my area (greater D.C.) at around 5-6K. At least, that's what I figure. That's a lot of money to essentially gamble on landing a pilot slot. Anyway, many thanks in advance to all members on this forum. I'll continue reading as much as I can to avoid starting a new, unnecessary thread. Pete